News & Insights
VIDEO: The power of forensics
Why this matters now
When a building system fails, a structure underperforms, or a loss occurs, owners, insurers, attorneys, and contractors need clear answers. The cost of getting it wrong is rarely just the repair. It is the litigation, the operational disruption, the insurance posture, and the reputational risk that follow. As construction has become more complex and as severe weather drives more claims, demand for rigorous forensic engineering and architecture has grown sharply.
What leaders are weighing
Clients are deciding how much investigation is enough and how soon to bring in independent expertise. They are weighing the desire to move quickly against the need to preserve evidence and document conditions before repairs begin. Insurance, legal, and operational teams often have competing priorities. There are also questions about scope: is this a single-issue investigation, or does it point to a pattern across a portfolio. Owners with multiple properties may need to balance one urgent case against a broader assessment of risk. The right approach depends on the stakes and the questions the client actually needs answered.
How Salas O’Brien is helping clients respond
Our forensic engineering and architecture team helps clients understand what happened, why it happened, and what to do about it. We support insurance carriers, attorneys, owners, and design and construction teams with field investigation, laboratory work, document review, and clear expert reporting. We work hard to make complex findings understandable to non-technical audiences, including juries, adjusters, and executives. Hear Justin Kestner, Ronny Lindsay, Don Williams, and Scott Leach explain how forensic work supports better decisions.
Don Williams
Don Williams has worked in the building envelope and fenestration industry since 2005. He leads teams providing field testing, certifications, building commissioning, and forensic services, helping project teams identify risks and resolve performance challenges. Don is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with architects, developers, and contractors from design through construction to deliver durable, high-performing building envelope solutions. Don serves as a Managing Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
Scott Leach
Scott Leach is an expert in building forensic investigations and testing. In the industry for over twenty-one years, Scott has an Associate Degree in Building Science and is currently a certified ABBA auditor and ITC level 1 infrared thermographer as well as a licensed AWCI -EIFS inspector. Scott sits on the ASTM E06 and CSI committees. Scott supervises the lab, Pre-con department and deals with day-to day functions within the Daytona office and serves as a Senior Vice President of Operations at Salas O’Brien. Contact him [email protected]
Justin T. Kestner PE, MS, MBA
Justin Kestner is Senior Managing Principal at Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company. He leads the firm while continuing to serve as an engineering consultant and expert witness.
With decades of experience, Justin has evaluated thousands of roofs and buildings for storm damage, foundation issues, and structural failures. He’s provided expert testimony on topics ranging from sinkholes to building collapses.
He’s also a seasoned educator, having developed and taught Haag’s Certified Inspector programs and presented at industry conferences nationwide.